hard to expand

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "hard to expand" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing something that is difficult to develop, elaborate on, or increase in size or scope. Example: "The current project is hard to expand due to budget constraints and limited resources."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"It's very hard to expand the hull," Mr. Caserta said.

The New York Times

"It's always hard to expand the base," Mr. Culver said.

The New York Times

Instead, she tried hard to expand that base.

The Guardian - Opinion

The banks have also found it hard to expand within the EU, except in neighbouring Belgium.

The Economist

Self-employment is high in places where it is hard to expand a business.

The Economist

The company said it is "working hard to expand to other neighbourhoods soon".

The Guardian - Tech

"I've been challenged pretty hard to expand my game, and quite enjoyed it," she said.

The Guardian - Sport

This change in orientation makes it hard to expand statistics instruction.

The New York Times

It has also been pushing hard to expand its military contracting in the United States.

The New York Times

Federal, state and local authorities need to work hard to expand treatment.

The New York Times

But they have been trying hard to expand their other, fee-earning businesses, such as asset management and investment banking.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "hard to expand", ensure that the subject is clearly defined. For example, specify what exactly is "hard to expand" to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "hard to expand" without providing context or reason. Always specify why something is difficult to expand, rather than simply stating that it is.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "hard to expand" functions primarily as an adjective phrase followed by an infinitive. It modifies a noun (often implied) by describing a characteristic or state of being, indicating difficulty or obstacles in the process of expansion. Ludwig provides examples showing it's used to describe companies, projects, and ideas.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "hard to expand" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase to describe the difficulty in growing or scaling something. Ludwig AI confirms its usability and provides numerous examples from reputable sources. When using the phrase, ensure you provide sufficient context and detail about what is difficult to expand and why. Consider alternatives like "difficult to enlarge" or "challenging to develop" for stylistic variation. The phrase maintains a neutral register and is suitable for various professional and informational contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

difficult to enlarge

Replaces "expand" with "enlarge", suggesting a physical or measurable increase that is challenging.

challenging to develop

Focuses on the difficulty in the development or improvement aspect of expanding something.

tough to scale up

Emphasizes the difficulty in increasing the scale or capacity, particularly in a business or technical context.

problematic to extend

Highlights the issues or problems associated with extending the reach or scope of something.

not easily scalable

Uses a more formal tone to indicate that something lacks scalability or the ability to grow efficiently.

faces limitations in growth

Shifts the focus to the inherent limitations that impede growth or expansion.

encounters obstacles in broadening

Emphasizes the obstacles or barriers that hinder the process of broadening or widening the scope.

expansion is constrained

Indicates that the ability to expand is limited or restricted by certain factors.

growth is hampered

Focuses on the impediments that slow down or prevent growth from occurring.

difficult to broaden horizons

Highlights the challenge in expanding one's perspective, knowledge, or opportunities.

FAQs

What does "hard to expand" mean?

The phrase "hard to expand" means that something is difficult to develop, enlarge, or increase in scope, scale, or size. It suggests that obstacles or limitations exist that hinder growth or extension.

What can I say instead of "hard to expand"?

You can use alternatives like "difficult to enlarge", "challenging to develop", or "tough to scale up", depending on the context.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "hard to expand"?

It is appropriate to use "hard to expand" when describing a situation, project, or entity facing significant challenges in growing or extending its reach, capabilities, or size. This can apply to business, technology, or even personal development.

What makes something "hard to expand"?

Several factors can make something "hard to expand", including limited resources, budget constraints, regulatory hurdles, technological limitations, market saturation, or internal inefficiencies.